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A notary public is a state official with statewide jurisdiction whose duties are prescribed by statute. Op. Tenn. Att’y Gen. 07-157 (November 26, 2007). However, the county clerk and the county legislative body are involved in the application and approval process for notaries before they are approved by the governor.

Beginning July 1, 2019, a person who has been commissioned as a notary public may apply to the Tennessee secretary of state to be commissioned as an online notary public under the Online Notary Public Act, T.C.A. §§ 8-16-301 et seq. The county clerk and the county legislative body are not involved in the commission of online notaries.